Small Patio Pond Ideas

From Pasture to Pond

• A trough, such as the type used on farms to feed animals, serves as a ready-made pond basin for a patio paradise. Leave a metal trough as-is for a rustic or country look, rub the outside with white or aqua paint thinned with water for a somewhat antiqued appearance, or create a tile mosaic on the outside in shades of blues, tans and greens to give it more of a beachy vibe. Troughs can be found at farm and feed supply stores.

Sinks and Tubs

• Large-basined antique sinks or washtubs serve as unusual ponds for a patio space. If using a sink, seal the drain area by covering it with a thin sheet of plastic or stainless steel, secured with a nontoxic adhesive. A double-basined school sink, old laundry tub or galvanized metal tub all add a vintage or shabby chic vibe to the patio area. Some old sinks feature a built-in backsplash or tall area in back that can be secured to a fence with bolts. If sinks and tubs aren't your idea of decor, use a large ceramic plant pot instead.

Translucent Tranquility

• A large glass serving bowl or modern frosted glass sink basin serves as a pond that can be illuminated from below or from behind, adding an extra ambiance to the patio space for evening enjoyment, especially if the pond contains a few small fish, turtles or frogs. Discontinued glass sink basins may be available from stores that sell this type of structure, while glass salad or punch bowls can be found at some thrift store and resale shops.

Build It Up

• Mask a standard plastic pond basin with decorative stones to create a pond for atop the patio or just beyond it. Stack slate or polished river rocks around the outside of the pond basin and over the lip of the structure to completely mask the basin's man-made origins. Rocks provide perching places for turtles, frogs or even birds if you'd like to use the pond as an environment for wildlife.